Medicine collection is planned

The Goldsboro Police Department, in partnership with Project Safe Kids, is kicking off National Poison Prevention Week with Operation Medicine Drop -- four dates at four separate sites where residents can turn in prescription and over-the-counter medicines for proper disposal.

The first date is Friday.

The Peggy M. Seegar Senior Center at 2001 East Ash St. will host the first pill turn-in, from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The center has worked with police for several years to operate the program.

"They have a lot of medications there, and we've been doing it four years now," police crime prevention officer Cpl. Marissa Davis said.

The operation runs through March 24, with other drop-offs scheduled at Wayne Community College, Kirkwood Retirement Community and the Walgreens pharmacy on East Ash Street.

"We only host this once a year, so this is their opportunity to clean out the medicine cabinet in a way that protects the environment, the children and the community," Davis said.

Eligible drop-off items include any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, pet meds, and all other accompanying items that are not bio-hazards.

In addition to a more eco-friendly disposal process than simply flushing medications down the drain, Operation Medicine Drop keeps dangerous pills out of the hands of abusers and curious teens, Davis said. She said no one should simply flush medications down the drain because of the possibility of contamination.